The Role of English as a Lingua Franca in Higher Education: Opportunities and Challenges
Keywords:
English as a Lingua Franca (ELF); higher education; academic English; internationalization; multilingualism; linguistic inequality.Abstract
English has become the dominant lingua franca in higher education worldwide, shaping teaching, research, and academic collaboration. This article examines the opportunities and challenges associated with English-medium instruction (EMI) in universities where English is not the native language. Drawing on previous studies and a small-scale survey of international students, the paper highlights both the advantages, such as global accessibility, and the disadvantages, including linguistic inequality and cultural homogenization. The findings suggest that while English facilitates internationalization and academic mobility, institutions must implement supportive policies to ensure inclusivity and equity for non-native speakers.
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